Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs and Trade,
Isikeli Mataitoga addresses Women in Shared Decision Making

November 17, 2004 -(femLINKpacific) Regional and international gender equality commitments need to be included in the implementation of the Pacific Plan which was endorsed by Pacific Governments at this year’s Forum Leaders meeting, says the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs and Trade, Isikeli Mataitoga.

Speaking to the national consultation of Women in Decision Making, Mataitoga acknowledged not only the need for increasing gender analysis of current trade negotiations, but also an active involvement by women in negotiations, which he suggested need to be well articulated and strategically placed in future negotiations.  

Mataitoga also reaffirmed the important role women’s peace networks can contribute to regional peace and security issues, in order to actively realize the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (titled Women, Peace and Security):

“At national level on peace and security in recent years, women have increasingly become an integral part ofFiji’s workforce, including the police force, military and prisons services and indeed facets of life and including international representation in various organizations, both in the public and private sectors.”

According to Mataitoga, in order for development to be equitable and fully shared by all members of society, women’s participation is essential:

“This is consistent with (government’s) strategic development plan in order to develop, address and promote gender sensitive issues and concerns that will create an enabling environment in implementing concerns of women at the national, down to the village and community level.”

Reaffirming the inter connectivity of the five key areas of the Women’s Plan of Action he encouraged participants to actively engage themselves in monitoring the implementation of these commitments:

“We need to be audited by yourselves to ensure we meet the minimum standards” he said

Addressing the issue of women’s representation in diplomatic duties, while noting concerns raised by participants, he advised that in its continuing review of foreign policy, attaches importance to the contribution of women and women’s issues at national, regional and international levels:

“I am consulting closely with all our missions overseas on these relevant issues to explore way and means of engaging issues of direct bearing toFiji’s social, economic and political interests, of which women’s issues are a component.”

Circulated by: femLINKpacific